<p>So starting this year, all the UCs are going to begin to use UCB and UCLA’s holistic review where they look at EVERY single aspect of the applicant as a whole, rather than assigning points for each category (which in my opinion is completely unfair as it admits students based on numbers and not on their actual character). Do you guys think that this’ll mean a whole lot to me and other like me who have extraordinary ECs + high SATs + a subpar GPA (around 3.45-3.6ish UC GPA)? </p>
<p>The way in which it will affect your chances is really case specific. It will help some people, hurt others. I’m pretty certain I only got into UCSD because they switched to the holistic review last year. For example, I was layout editor of my school newspaper (right below editor in chief) but I probably would have gotten no points for it because it wasn’t officially “vice president”.</p>
<p>Actually only Davis, San Diego, and Santa Cruz are switching to holistic review this year. Prior to 2012, Berkeley, UCLA, and Irvine were using holistic review. As of 2012, Merced, Riverside, and Santa Barbara will continue using comprehensive review where each campus will determine how each criterion is weighed.</p>
<p>San Diego did a “dry run” last year where supplemental questionnaires were sent out to “borderline” students. But the campus denied using holistic review for admission consideration in 2011.</p>